Pedophile charges a big lie: Jackson

Michael Jackson has issued his first statement since being arrested on multiple charges of child molestation, describing the accusations as "a big lie".

The singer, who was charged in California on Thursday after police had searched his Neverland Ranch, made his comment on a website launched to counter accusations of pedophilia against him.

He said: "To my fans, friends and family: As you know the charges recently directed at me are terribly serious.

"They are, however, predicated on a big lie. This will be shown in court and we will be able to put this horrible time behind us."

Jackson, 45, who is in Las Vegas shooting a music video after being released on $US3 million bail ($A4.2 million), said legal constraints would prevent him from providing "a running commentary" on the case.

"There will be times when I cannot comment at all. No doubt, this will be frustrating for us all," he said.

"You are right to be sceptical of some of the individuals who are being identified in the mass media as my friends, spokespeople and attorneys. With few exceptions, most of them are simply filling a desperate void in our culture that equates visibility with insight."

The accusations are understood to have come from a 12-year-old cancer sufferer whom the singer befriended after the child said his last wish was to meet Jackson.

Elizabeth Taylor became the first celebrity friend to offer public support, saying that she believed Jackson would be cleared.

"I believe Michael is absolutely innocent and that he will be vindicated," she said.